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Season 2: Project #30 Burning for it - Anything I Can Do
The
world's easiest table doubles as a workbench, a laundry counter,
a project table and, in a pinch, a spare bunk bed.
If
you're like me, you need more surface area. And I'm not talking
about gaining a few pounds.
What
you need is your very own utility table. It's cheap to build (roughly
$50), and it's a great beginner's project. The table measures 52"
x 25", with 34" legs. I actually built three of these babies, because
they're so darn useful.
You
can fancy up your table with paint, stenciling or wood-burning,
but it's noble just as it is, naked.
Artisans'
work featured on this Episode
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Materials:
- Cedar (see cut list below)
Approximately 30 each of:
- 2 - 1/2" zinc woodscrews
- Trim washers
- 1-1/2" zinc woodscrews
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Tools
- Saw
- Clamps
- Measuring tape
- Square
- Drill
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Cut List:
- Skirt: 1" x 6" cedar decking - two 46" boards, two 23" boards
- Blocking: 2" x 4" cedar - one 23" board
- Tabletop: 1" x 6" cedar - five 52" boards
- Legs: 2" x 4" cedar - four 34" boards
- Optional shelf: 1" x 6" cedar - three 46" boards
- Shelf supports: 2" x 4" cedar - two 23" boards
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Steps:
Check the end of the board for squareness and splits |
Cut off any bad ends and then cut the boards to length |
A Japanese pull saw is the easiest to cut with |
| Start by building the 'skirt', the rectangle on which the
table surface will eventually sit. |
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Clamp the apron or skirt frame together |
Pre drill for screws at the corners |
Choose screws that are long enough to have at least half their
length in each pieces |
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| Clamp the boards in place (short boards on the inside!) At
the corners, pre-drill for the screws so that the boards don't
split. Fasten the corners together using zinc screws paired
with trim washers, which bite into the wood and add a huge amount
of structural strength to the corners. |
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Use a trim washer to add strength and stability, plus they look
attractive |
Use at least two screws to attach each corner together |
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Pre-drill with a counter sink bit and attach the top boards
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Use a center brace to help support the table top |
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Attach the decking to the frame, pre-drilling for the screws
so the boards don't split. 'Countersink' the screws so their
heads don't stick up and catch on things. If you don't have
a fancy countersink bit, simply use a large drill bit to make
a shallow dimple for the wedge-shaped head of a woodscrew.
Install the 2" x 4" blocking (short side up, for strength)
in the middle of the rectangle. This board will support the
surface decking so it doesn't bounce later.
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Put the 2x4 legs in place and attach with staggered screws |
Use both a square and a clamp to hold the leg while installing
the screws |
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Attach the legs to the inside corners of the skirt, using
zinc screws and trim washers. Work with the project upside
down, so the skirt is down and the legs stick up in the air.
To make sure the legs are firmly attached, drive two screws
into the wide side of each leg, and one screw into the narrow
edge. Stagger the two screws on the wide side to prevent splitting
the legs. Use clamps and a square to keep the legs in place
while driving the screws. Once the legs are in place, eyeball
them to make sure they're plumb. If they're all leaning in
different directions, you can adjust them by releasing the
tension on the screws and then re-tightening them selectively
until each leg is vertical.
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Install a horizontal support on the legs to hold a lower shelf
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Attach the support with two staggered screws at each leg |
Cut and attach three boards to the supports |
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Now your table is done, unless you want to go for the optional
shelf, which is a great addition particularly if your table
legs are wonky or the unit doesn't feel stable enough.
To make the shelf, attach two horizontal 2" x 4" shelf supports
to the legs about 3" up from the bottom, and then screw cedar
boards to the supports, spacing them evenly.
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Decorate your table with woodburning |
If you can, get a high quality wood burning unit - it's worth
it |
Different wood burning tips add variety |
| That's it. Your wonder table will go through thick and thin
with you, a sturdy companion, a tranquil offering of surface
area in the midst of life's turbulence. |
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Artisans'
work featured on this episode:
(click pics for Artist info and larger
images)
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